[COMICS]. Complete Set of All 169 Issues of Classics Illustrated. [New York: Elliot Publishing Co. / Gilberton Company, 1941-1969]. 4to comic issues in original staple-bound color wrappers. A COMPLETE COLLECTION OF THE FIRST RUN OF CLASSICS ILLUSTRATED, RARELY FOUND COMPLETE; ALL ISSUES FIRST EDITIONS, FIRST PRINTINGS. The first 34 issues are under the general title Classic Comics, as issued; from issue 35 on, the general title was changed to Classics Illustrated. 

Created by Albert Kanter (1897-1973), Classic Comics/Classics Illustrated was intended to interest young readers in classical literature via the then-new medium of comic books. In 1951, he began promoting the series as an educational tool, despite the fact that two issues (Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and Uncle Tom's Cabin) being featured in Dr. Frederic Wertham's  Seduction of the Innocent (1954), which was a condemnation of comics. Conversely, issue 65, Benjamin Franklin won the 1956 Thomas Alva Edison Foundation National Mass Media Award for Best American History Comic Book. Kanter employed some of the finest comic creators of the time, including Jack Kirby, Henry C. Kiefer, John Severin, Joe Orlando, Gray Morrow, Dik Browne, Joe Sinnott, Al Williamson, George Woodbridge, and many more. Classics Illustrated spawned a spin-off series, Classics Illustrated Junior for younger readers (none of these issues are present in this lot). Early issues are highly prized by collectors - all of which are present here. Classics Illustrated has been revived several times over the years, yet this core collection is seldom found complete. List available upon request (with a few specific condition notes for some issues).

Wrappers lightly toned, some edgewear (especially near staples), some occasional soiling, a few marginal chips or tears, interior pages lightly toned; yet exterior and interiors with vibrant color. Very good or better, most issues are better than usually seen.